Hissy Hoggies

13/10/2021

For those of you who don't know, Hognose snakes have toxic saliva!

Now, it isn't like venom that will get you sent to the E.R, but it will cause swelling, pain and itching.

I like to feed my snakes in tubs out of their enclosure. Falkor was a little to impatient with me today and decided to try and eat my finger instead of waiting to be put in his tub where his pinkie mice awaited him.

I wanted to share the photos of the swelling, because it's important to know that even the calmest of snakes can bite sometimes and with Hognose, you need to be prepared for the consequences of a bite (although Falkor is FAR from calm 🤣)

01/04/2021

This is no April Fools joke! Say hello to Auryn!

Auryn is a gorgeous Artic Superconda Toffee Belly het Toxic! Her genetics are FANTASTIC and she is going to make amazing babies with Falkor when their both ready!

Auryn is settling in and will be left alone for a while to settle into her new home. I will post more pictures and videos soon!

Falkor hasn't come out of hiding yet, so I think he is still hunkered down shedding!

14/03/2021

Falkor is getting ready to shed! This is often called "zombie mode" or going "in blue" because of how their eyes change. Hognose can get very grumpy during this stage, so minimal contact is recommended! I'll show a before and after once he is finished!

03/03/2021

Someone FINALLY decided he was hungry! It has been about a month/month and a half since he last ate. Now he has a nice plump belly haha.

12/02/2021

Well, this boy is officially on a food strike! What a butthead 🙄 Look at that face.

He is mocking me.

Still on the search for a girlfriend for him! Baby season is coming swiftly, hopefully I can find a match!

27/01/2021

Things have been pretty quiet with Falkor, that is because he has been on a retreat for a while lol several weeks ago when I tried to feed him, he refused, and after that he has been hiding.

He finally came out today, so I have covered him well and giving him all the dark quiet time he needs in hopes that he will eat!

This is a very common behavior with Hognose. They will go on hunger strikes on a whim, sometimes for months.

It's important though to know the difference between a hunger strike and a sick snake. Although he has been hiding for several weeks, I checked on him every few days to make sure he looked okay and was acting his normal hissy self.

If your snake is on a hunger strike and has any discharge, trouble breathing, significant weight loss, abnormalities on their scales, masses, swollen eyes or face, missing scales...make sure they go to a vet ASAP!

08/12/2020

Feed time for Falkor! I know many people do strict feeding schedules with their snakes, but I let my snakes just tell me when their hungry. I know the difference between looking for food and exploring, and allow them to make the call when its time for dinner.

Currently Falkor is eating two pinkies. He comes out about twice a week and starts pacing the edges of his enclosure when he is asking for food. I boil water in the microwave for 1 minute, throw the frozen pinkies in for about a minute or two and feed.

I feed him in a bowl, which I cover as he will not eat if he even thinks for a second I might be watching. He eats pretty fast and thus far has a great feeding response. Hognose are notorious for being picky eaters and going on hunger strikes, so will see if this ever changes with him.

25/11/2020

25/11/2020

So there is pretty much two Hognose personalities. Those that are pretty calm and don't mind your presence, and those that believe they are extremely frightening cobras 🤣

Falkor is the second option.

Hognose are not known to be "bitey". Typically when a bite occurs, it is due to a feeding response or extreme stress on the snake. They are rear fanged "venomous" or "poisonous", depending who you talk to. It is a large debate exactly what term to use.

Hognose do not have hollow fangs, so venom is not injected but instead comes from their saliva. If bitten, it is not harmful to humans, though you could suffer a bad reaction if your allergic.

I have yet to be bitten (by a Hognose at least, my Rosy Boa has nailed me many times) but never say never! Falkor is very hissy and defensive, a typical Hoggie behavior, but he is much happier just running from me when his antics don't work.

24/11/2020

So it all begins with Falkor.

My journey in finding Falkor, my dream snake, turned into a interest in breeding and a lot of research.

He is still very young and has a way to go, and I still need to find him some girlfriends.

He is an Axanthic Superconda 66% ph toxic

He is super sassy and thinks he is a very scary cobra.

23/11/2020

23/11/2020